Excel Opens in Text Mode

[Monroe]

When opening an xls file, it appeared as a text file with non-readable
characters. I did not save the file in this format. Is there a way to
recover it?

 

[joel]

Is the file an XLS file or some other extension like CSV. If it is an XLS
file you can try the office recovery tool Depending on the version of excel
installed you can get to it in the START button

Start - Programs - Microsoft Office - from here it may vary.

Try Tools - Microsoft Office Application Revoery

 

[Monroe]

The file is .xls that I've used dozens of times.
The recovery tool doesn't seem to help - all it does is restart Excel.

Thanks anyway

 

[joel]

Run the revoery tool after yo opened the XLS file.